"Street Clothes Week" Teaches Real Life Defense

The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts in Hamden recently held its “Summer Time Street Clothes Week” when students wear regular clothes to class in order to put the skills they learn in class to work in a real life situation.

On one of the days during the week, it was recommended that the children wear their camp clothes and the adults their work clothes. On the other day, they wear clothes they would normally hang out in and if the students came in on a third day, they were to choose a different style of clothes to wear.

The Academy also asked students to bring in any accessories they use on a daily basis, such as backpack, shoulder bags, work belts, etc.

At the Academy, it is important for students to understand their Martial Arts movements and how to use them in a real situation.

“This week’s lesson plan brought the students’ understanding of self-defense to a new level," said Shihan Frank Ciarleglio, a 5th Degree Black Belt and instructor at the Hamden Academy. "Our students learned how to overcome the restrictions their clothes may impose on their movements and how to defend against someone who is trying to use their clothes such as shirts, hats, ties, etc. against them.

Another part of Street Clothes Week was learning how to defend against someone trying to use the accessories a person carries with them on a day to day basis and how to use those some accessories as a self-defense tool, Ciarleglio said.

“Self-defense is not all about the punches or kicks; it is also about utilizing your mind," he said. "Our lesson plan covered things such as being aware of your surroundings, making your home safer both inside and outside, and how to spot trouble and avoid dangerous situations completely.

"For the children, the focus also included stranger danger situations, dealing with bullies, peer pressure and techniques on how to handle themselves in those types of situations,” said Ciarleglio.

The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts is known for the quality of their programs, whether it is the children’s, teens or adult classes. The instructors at the Academy are there to help the students with not only knowing how to handle themselves in a physical situation, but also how to handle the things that happen to them on a daily basis.

“As an instructor I have been trained and continue my own education, both in the Martial Arts and on how to help people to overcome their daily obstacles,” said Ciarleglio.

For more photos or information on the Academy, call (203) 288-9990 or visit www.academyofkempo.com.